MMC: Evidence-based operational responses to mixed migration: study on best practices

Geneva

Organization: DRC - Danish Refugee Council
Location: Geneva
Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Social Affairs
- Migration
- Scientist and Researcher
Closing Date: Closed

INTRODUCTION

The MMC is a leading source for independent and high-quality data, research, analysis and expertise on mixed migration. The MMC aims to increase understanding of mixed migration, to positively impact global and regional migration policies, to inform evidence-based protection responses for people on the move and to stimulate forward thinking in public and policy debates on mixed migration. The MMC’s overarching focus is on human rights and protection for all people on the move. The MMC focuses on 6 core regions, with regional teams in each of these: Eastern Africa & Yemen; North Africa; West Africa; the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Read more about the MMC here: www.mixedmigration.org. The MMC is part of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), a leading humanitarian organization responding to displacement and mixed migration in 40 countries.

Since 2014, MMC has been implementing the Mixed Migration Monitoring Mechanism initiative (4Mi), a growing network of monitors stationed in key migration hubs in more than 20 countries along 7 major migration routes, who are interviewing refugees and migrants on the move on a continuous basis, providing a solid evidence base on the needs and protection incidents facing people on the move. Read more about 4Mi here: http://www.mixedmigration.org/4mi/.

The MMC has three main objectives:

To contribute to a better, more nuanced and balanced understanding of mixed migration (knowledge)
To contribute to evidence-based and better-informed migration policies and debates (policy)
To contribute to effective evidence-based protection responses for people on the move (practice)

MMC seeks the services of a consultant to support the approach to the third objective: MMC’s contribution to evidence-based responses for people on the move.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this consultancy is to:

Provide a quick desk review of current approaches to evidence-based programming of key actors responding to mixed migration (UN agencies, NGOs).
Provide an overview of existing examples of linking data/evidence on mixed migration with operational protection responses within DRC.
Identify best practices and successes – but also worst practices and failures – both within DRC and other organisations in terms of using data/evidence to inform and improve operational protection responses for people on the move in mixed migration flows.
Develop concrete recommendations on how the MMC’s (4Mi) data, research and analysis can better inform the operational responses of the DRC and other actors.

KEY RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be key, but can be fine-tuned in the inception phase.

What is the current state of affairs in DRC in terms of using the (4Mi) data and evidence provided by the MMC (and its predecessors) to inform operational responses? In which regions, country programmes has this been applied? Targeted at which populations? And what is the estimated budget of these programmes?
What are the experiences so far within DRC? What are good examples? And what are the challenges and barriers to using MMC data and evidence?
What are the needs expressed by DRC programme/protection staff? What data/evidence is missing? What would they expect from the MMC and 4Mi data?
What are the experiences and lessons learnt in other organisations? What are best practices, successes, failures and worst practices based on the experiences in other agencies?
What are key indicators/criteria defining best practices / success? How can this be better measured?
How can MMC and 4Mi better contribute to operational responses? And what can MMC and 4Mi realistically not do, taking into account the MMC’s key role as a knowledge centre first and foremost.

METHODOLOGY

The consultant is expected to use a combination of desk research (e.g. reviewing agency reports, reviewing DRC project databases, etc.), and primarily a wide range of stakeholder interviews (primarily remote, depending on location) with DRC staff in various regions and other key actors responding to mixed migration (UN agencies, NGOs). The consultant is expected to travel to Geneva and Copenhagen.

DELIVERABLES

Inception report: at the start of the assignment, the consultant will develop a brief inception document, including a more detailed research approach, proposed key informants to be interviewed and interview tools.
Draft report: to be shared with the MMC and relevant DRC staff, for comments and inputs for inclusion in the final report.
Final report: to be delivered by the consultant within 1 week after receiving the comments. The report may be published, acknowledging the authorship of the consultant, but is initially and primarily for internal (MMC and DRC) use. The consultant shall write up the findings in concise report, written in clear English language and providing clear recommendations.

TIMELINE & PAYMENT

The total number of days estimated for this assignment is 30 working days. The tentative schedule will be as follows.

Task: Contract signed (Start date 22nd April)
Task: Inception: Development of detailed plan, interview tools, etc. (22nd - 29th April)
Task: Review, desk research, interview, analysis and draft report (29th April - 3rd May)
Task: Final Report and Approval by DRC / MMC (3rd - 17th May)

The consultant will receive a 30% payment upon signature, 30% after the completion of the deliverable 1 and 60% upon satisfactory completion of the consultancy (deliverables 2 and 3).

REPORTING ARRANGEMENT

The assessment shall be completed in close cooperation with the MMC Geneva team. The primary contact point for the consultant will be Roberto Forin, MMC programme coordinator in Geneva.

It is anticipated that the consultant will be in regular contact with the contact point. It is also anticipated that the consultant will confirm the list of interviews, including geographic locations, with the contact point. The contact point will take responsibility for ensuring timely responses to drafts and inputs to the consultant.

EXPECTED PROFILE / QUALIFICATIONS

Consultants should have a degree in Law, Social Sciences, Forced Migration or any other related area of study
Demonstrable experience on matters relating to (mixed) migration
Strong background in humanitarian operations in multiple countries. Previous experience in protection responses for people in mixed migration flows a strong added advantage
A strong and proven background (e.g. through prior publications), knowledge and understanding of mixed migration dynamics.
Proven research skills and experience in the area of forced migration and/or mixed migration.
Previous experience working for international NGOs and/or UN agencies.
Excellent analytical and reporting skills. Proven track record of publications on (mixed)migration.
Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in French a strong added advantage.